Improvement in match-safes



UNITED. STATES' JULES HELM AND ALPHONSE HELM, OF WASHINGTON, D. C.

IMPROVEMENT IN MATCH-SAFES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,615, dated November18, 1873; applicationled September 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat We, J ULEs HELM and AL- PHoNsE HELM, both of Washington,in the District of Columbia, have invented an Improvement inMatch-Safes, of which the following is a specification:

y This invention consists in constructing a match-safe with adelivery-aperture at top, of peculiar shape, adapted for theintroduction of the thumb and finger, and permitting the Withdrawal ofthe matches only one at a time.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective vienT of ourimproved match-safe in a form adapted for setting upon a table, counter,or shelf. Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof in a form adapted forhanging on a Wall. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in the plane indicatedby the line sv x, Fig. l.

The sides A and base or bottom B of the box may be formed as preferred,according to taste or to the manner in which the box is intended to beused. I-f it is to be hung on a Wall, eyes C, one or more, are providedfor this purpose. D is the receptacle for the matches. The top E mayconstitute a hinged cover; but this is not necessary. In the center ofthe top is a longitudinal slot, F, of suitable length and Width topermit the passage of a match. The center of the slot communicates withcircular recesses G G, to admit the thumb and one iinger. In the ends ofthe slot are small recesses or enlargements f f, toV allow thematch-heads to pass Without such friction as might endanger ignition. Itis preferred to make the top of the box concave, as shown, to facilitatethe introduction of matches.

A number of matches being placed on top of the box, a slight shaking orjarring of the the aperture. When a match is Wanted for use, a singleone can be Withdrawn instantly, and with perfect ease; but it isimpossible to take out more than one at once. The invention thuspossesses great utility in preventing tering any that are not used.

We are aware that it has before been proposed to construct a match-boxwith narrow slots variously arranged to permit the Withdrawing ofmatches one at a time. This, therefore, We do not broadly claim. Ourinvention differs from others in providing in the central part of thebox-top a longitudinal slot Withrecesses communicating with it on `bothsides, so

and finger, may be introduced, one on each side of the slot, and asingle match picked up and Withdrawn Without pressing or rolling it uponthe other matches or against the side of J(lie box. Our invention onthis account possesses superior safety, especially when used with whatare known as parlor-matches, or others tipped with an explosivecomposition.

What We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The central longitudinal slot F F in the boX- top, having rigid sides,and combined with the recesses G Gr for the thumb and finger, and withenlargements f, to permit the passage of the match-tips Withoutfriction, all as herein shown and described.

JULES HELM. l ALPHONSE HELM. Witnesses: i

OoTAvrUs KNIGHT, WALTER ALLEN.

' box causes them to descend quickly through` Waste of matches, andavoiding danger in scatthat not a nger merely, but both the thumb

